Page 68 of The Trolley Kiss
“Wait, really?”
I shrug. “Yeah, I mean what’s the worst thing that could happen? Two sexy, shirtless men wrestle over me at the dining room table?”
“Jesus!” he laughs. “Remind me to never, ever wrestle with my brother in front of you.”
Thursday, Dec. 24
“Addison! So good to see you again.” Declan’s mom says as she gives me a hug. I hug her back because I’m not really sure what else to do.
“Hi, thanks for having me.”
She raises her eyebrows at me. “I’m not going to lie, I’m a little surprised you are here after all the trouble my boys have caused.”
“What?” I laugh.
She waves it off like she didn’t say anything. “Oh, you know. Mack and Declan fighting. Declan not understanding that you aren’t looking for a relationship. All of it.”
“Oh, wow.” I throw my head back, laughing. “I didn’t realize you knew everything. I’m really embarrassed now.”
She touches my arm with a reassuring smile. “Sorry, I make my boys tell me everything. And by that, I mean they call me with all their problems without fail. Every single time.”
“At least they’re talking to someone.” I shrug jokingly.
She sighs. “They are a constant work in progress, but they have good hearts. I know that. I’m glad you’re here. You’re a good influence on them.”
I lean my head to the side. “Oh, I’m not sure I have any influence on them.”
“Yeah, you could be right,” she pauses with a smirk, “about Mack.” She winks before turning to the oven and pulling out the breakfast casserole.
Declan walks up behind me and places his hand on my back. “Mom, do you need help with anything?”
“Could you grab the glasses? Ingredients for mimosa are on the coffee bar.”
I follow Declan to the coffee bar since I don’t know anyone here, and I also could use one of those mimosas. Mack pulls me into a hug. “Addy, blink twice if Declan is blackmailing you to be with him.”
“Fuck off,” Declan says, punching him playfully on the arm.
Declan’s uncle calls out to see if someone could help bring in the gifts, so Declan kisses the side of my head. “Be right back.” He stares Mack down. “Be nice.”
Mack rolls his eyes but smiles at me. I look down to the floor, feeling uncomfortable. “It’s weird that I’m here, huh?”
He taps my arm lightly. “Hey, it’d be weird if you weren’t here.”
I try to smile, but it doesn’t last. “I don’t know.”
He lifts his hands in defense. “I mean, I’m not going to sit here and tell you my family isn’t crazy, but from what I’ve heard, yours isn’t much better.”
“Wow,” I laugh. “He really tells everyone everything, huh?”
Mack nods. “Yeah, he doesn’t shut up about you. Ever.” He fills up another glass. “Here, have another. Family parties are always better with alcohol.”
I grab the glass and clink it against his. “Cheers to that.”
The rest of the afternoon goes surprisingly smooth. I’m not exactly sure what I was expecting, but it wasn’t this. I’ve never felt so relaxed at something like this. Holidays have always been the most stressful time for me. I guess it’s because here I don’t have to prove myself to anyone. I just have to… be.
Granted, I can’t even remember the last time I spent a Christmas with a boyfriend’s family. Maybe highschool? Most guys I’ve dated either weren’t that serious around the holidays or they didn’t live close to their family. I never even met Chris’s family. He always acted like he told them about me, but now I’m not even sure if he was making that up too. How could they know about me when he was with someone else?
Declan leans in. “You want to get out of here?”